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Grand Orator proved too strong on his home track for Mornington-based trainer Tony Noonan who is having a stellar week with his third winner in five days.

Settling at the back of the field in the Chadwick Grimmond Engineers Handicap over 1200m under New Zealand apprentice Michael Dee, Grand Orator created a few nervous furlongs for Noonan and connections.

“Coming into the turn, you’d have probably ripped your ticket up but on his home track, we knew he was capable of doing that uphill work in the straight and Michael rode him with good confidence,” Noonan said.

“He’s still only lightly raced for a 6-year-old and he’s one of the most honest workers you can find in a stable.

“It’s just a great win for Louis (Mihalyka) at Laurel Oak and his entire team.”

Giving the leader eight lengths at the top of the straight, Dee pulled Grand Orator out to be the widest runner upon straightening.

Once balanced up, Dee pulled for the whip 100m from home where the Grand Orator ($6) responded gallantly to produce an electric burst of speed to score by half-a-length from Spencer Street ($8) and Count The Interest ($13) in third.

The win was Dee’s second metropolitan win for Noonan from as many rides for the stable since the apprentice’s arrival in Australia.

“We watched him (Dee) a lot in New Zealand and were amazed that he could claim 3(kg) in the city,” Noonan said.

“He did the job for us on Saturday and again today so I have no doubt he is going places.”

Today’s win brought Grand Orator’s prize money earnings to $119,223 from 22 starts.

News from Tony Noonan Racing

If you take a look through the Steward’s Report of Swiftly Red (Testa Rossa) you can see that she has had excuses in many of her races, but in what was a great effort, the mare finally produced the goods to win the Sale Signtorque Maiden Plate over 1205m (even though the jockey lost the whip!!)

The now four-year-old mare appears to have matured and could be back on track to show the promise that everyone always felt she has possessed.

Jumping away well from barrier 6 in the large field of 16 runners, it looked as if the Swiftly Red was going to have a hard luck story once again as she started to over race, but jockey Nick Hall managed to get her to settle and she started to travelled well once she went forward.

Getting some clear running, a gap appeared and the mare raced through it, accelerating away to hit the lead with about 150m to go before holding off Sequins ‘N’ Spice to record a nice length and three-quarter victory.

Trainer Tony Noon had set the mare for this race, and was reward with the win.

“With the VOBIS bonus available here, we targeted the mare at this race and it’s just a great feeling when plans come to fruition like this because we knew she had the ability to win and it was just a matter of getting her to focus.

“At the start of the prep, I was confident that she would be racing in the city by the end of this prep so I look forward to seeing her work through the grades.”

A special congratulations to trainer Tony Noon and to her patient owners; Laurel Oak Jane Syndicate (Mgr: L J Mihalyka), A N Fitzgerald, Mrs M D Turnbull, Boeara Holdings Syndicate (Mgr: Mrs D A Dunphy), D A Jeffery, Mrs C J Jeffery, Miss A L Goble, K E O’Brien, Mrs T O’brien, P W Hickey, Mrs A M Hickey, Mrs M V Horrigan, P Sutton and Mrs R C Fitzgerald.

Now that she has broken through, fingers and toes are crossed that she can continue her winning ways!

Having always shown staying ability, as was evident by his path to the Group 1 New Zealand Derby during his Classic season, it is as four-year-old that Maygrove, a product of the Laurel Oak Zhivago Breeding Syndicate has really come into his own, having record six top three placed efforts prior to his start in the Group 2 staying contest.

By Darley’s Epsom Derby winner Authorized, out of the former Laurel Oak Bloodstock raced Zabeel mare Lady Zhivago, it was always evident that Maygrove was bred to stay, and stay he did.

A narrow second last time out in the Listed Marton Cup over 2200m, the step up to the 2400m of the Wellington Cup say the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained grey started the race favourite once again, and after jumping away well from the gates, he settled just ahead of mid-field.

Challenging when it was clear he was going better than anyone else in the race, jockey Matthew Cameron allowed his mount to stride forward, and he pulled his way clear of the rest of the field to record a commanding two length victory.

“He has been very impressive,” commented Forsman.

“Even when he raced in the Derby he was a very immature horse and is still a bit immature now but he is slowly getting there.”

“He has always shown ability and we always thought he would be up to this level, it was just a matter of waiting for him and letting him do it in his own time. The key has been not rushing him and letting him come through the grades and finding soft options for him on his way through.”

When he was a yearling and going through the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales, we were actually the under bidders on the colt, but the good news for the Lady Zhivago Breeding Syndicate was that the other party was too strong at $NZ120,000, so they had a good result in the sale ring.

Currently in foal to Reliable Man, a winner of the Group 1 French Derby (2100m) and the Group 1 ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), we wait with anticipation until next Spring, where the resultant foal will have a nice and healthy black type pedigree behind it come sale time!

To view a race replay, please click on the below image.

Exciting young stayer Maygrove (Authorized) achieved an impressive first stakes victory in the $200,000 Group 2 Platinum Homes Wellington Cup (2400m) at Trentham yesterday.

From the stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Maygrove has produced five wins from his 20 starts. The four-year-old gelding has had a stellar season, placing in seven of his nine starts this campaign including four wins with his last result running second in the Listed Gallagher Marton Cup.

“He has been very impressive,” commented Forsman. “Even when he raced in the Derby he was a very immature horse and is still a bit immature now but he is slowly getting there.

“He has always shown ability and we always thought he would be up to this level, it was just a matter of waiting for him and letting him do it in his own time. The key has been not rushing him and letting him come through the grades and finding soft options for him on his way through.”

Jockey Matthew Cameron rode Maygrove to victory after a steady start to the race with the pair going forward from barrier five. Cameron and Maygrove sat comfortably ahead of mid-field throughout the 2400m journey.

Challenging the rest of the field, Maygrove progressed forward and confidently headed for home for a two-length victory. Powering along the outside was Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) who took second place and She’s Insatiable (NZ) (Ustinov) finished in third position.

The son of Authorized earned $118,750 in yesterday’s victory, increasing his total stakes to $189,260 for Lib Patenga’s JML Bloodstock Ltd & P W O’Rourke.

“There are no immediate plans for him,” said Forsman. “He will go to the paddock for a couple of weeks now. There are no firm plans but the owners are keen to have a go in Australia at some point.

“We are very lucky to have the backing of Lib (Patenga) and Bruce (Perry), it is a big boost to us. Bruce buys very good horses, he does his homework and he is a good judge so you are a very good chance when you get one of their horses into the stable.”

Maygrove was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $110,000 at the 2012 Karaka Select Yearling Sale from Haunui Farm. Haunui Farm has 13 horses catalogued in this year’s Karaka Premier Sale which commences tomorrow.

Bred by Laurel Oak Lady Zhivago Syndicate, Maygrove is out of winning Zabeel mare Lady Zhivago (Zabeel), who is a three-quarter-sister to stakes winner Zaza (Zabeel), winner of the Listed South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.

Story from New Zealand Bloodstock

Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

With three runners set to race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, all for trainer Gary Portelli, the Laurel Oak Bloodstock team ended the day with a winner and a second placed performance – not a bad effort at all.

Last start winner Tuscan Falls (pictured left), headed back to the city after impressively breaking his maiden at Newcastle on Boxing Day to step up to the 1000m of Race 2: Drummond Golf.

Ridden by James McDonald, the well-bred Nicconi three-year-old finished second, clearly indicating that there is talent there, he just has to put it all together.

Congratulations to his connections; Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd ( Mgr: L J Mihalyka), Hon. W R Haylen, J M Ryan, J T O’brien, N Macdonald, S C Cook, Mrs K Fraser, M R Tudehope, D Monch, M J Baumann, K Macdonald, J R Wilson, C J Reynolds, R H Spee, W A Chalker, S M Sandridge, M J Clift, R I Cullen and P Mckenzie on the effort.

Two races later, our special mare All My Loving headed to the barriers as one of the outsiders of the field behind the short-priced favourite Artibai.

Having finished third last time out of 2100m at Gosford where she was beaten less than a length, trainer Gary Portelli decided to step her up to the 2400m for the first time, a distance her pedigree may suggest that she wouldn’t run out, well at least her sprinting sire Not A Single Doubt would have something to say about that!

Settling towards the rear of the field for Winona Costin, the Laurel Oak Rose (Mgr: L J Mihalyka), Jalana (Mgr: D Gremmo), A N Fitzgerald, L J Carpenter, Mrs K A Carpenter, Ms K L Benson, Mrs S L Grant, S James, S E Johnston, Mrs P Hunter-Knight, Mrs J C Mcauliffe, Mrs V Racovalis, Ms A Kung, Mrs C A Mathieson, Mrs R C Fitzgerald, G M Fitzgerald and L A Brennan-owned mare started to make ground around the field as they headed for home.

Looking a live chance to catch the leaders with 200m to go, her group of owners could be heard cheering her on extremely loudly as All My Loving surged to recorded her third career win, getting up to defeat the favourite by a head margin, with a further length and a quarter back to the third horse.

Secured at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Cathy Hain’s Burnewang North, All My Loving is out of the Black Minnaloushe mare Valentine Rose – this is where she gets her ability to run a trip.

With three wins and seven placed performances from 19 starts to date, it is great to report that 10% of her prize money goes to the Breast Cancer Foundation!

We would like to thank trainer Gary Portelli for a good day “out at the farm” and we are looking forward to the carnival getting underway in a few weeks’ time!!

Thanks to Burnewang North for uploading the below picture of All My Loving as a foal…

With four prior starts to his credit, the Tony Noonan-trained Cannonball Express headed to Bairnsdale on December 30 to contest the Pallots Jewellers Maiden Plate over 1600m.

Settling in a mid-field position on the rails after jumping away from the inside barrier for jockey Reece Wheeler, Cannonball Express drifted back a little due to the hot tempo set up in the lead by Berkley Gardens, the short-priced favourite.

Slowly making up ground along the rails, the Al Maher gelding pulled himself into a clear third before the home turn before knuckling down extremely well to chase the leader and produced a top-quality effort to take the race by a length margin, with Flytir a further five-and-a-half lengths back in third .

Despite original tactics going out the door upon missing the jump, trainer Noonan never panicked.

“He’s been a bit of a grinder but in his last gallop, we sat him off his companion and taught him a little bit about chasing and he replicated his training effort today,” Noonan said.

“We purchased him with a view of turning him into a stayer and although his runs to date over shorter distances haven’t looked flash on paper, Louis Mihalyka (part-owner) has been patient with this gelding.

“It’s always a thrill to get a win for Louis and his group and we hope this will be the first of many because this horse will only improve as he gets out further.

After attempting to dig Cannonball Express out of the gates to find the lead to little luck, Wheeler took the sit and settled midfield on the gelding who appeared to be travelling sweetly.

“If he missed the kick, Tony said he would be happy just to give him plenty of room,” Wheeler said.

“It was a good strong win in the end.

“He’s looking for further and that will do him the world of good and get him some confidence because he’s on the way up.”

A special congratulations goes out to the fellow owners in Cannonball Express; Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Tony Noonan Racing Pty Ltd, Mr S C Cook, Mr M J Birrell, Mrs N C Birrell, Mr G M Muir, Club Number One, Mr G L Blenkinsop, Mrs K E O’halloran, Mr P D O’halloran, Mr T Kinnear, Mr P Crichton, Mr D A Russell, Mr G Kinnear and Mrs C Kinnear.

With the 2014 coming to a close, Laurel Oak Bloodstock have been lucky to have some further success in the past few days highlighted by the win of Tuscan Falls, as well as some of our runners performing extremely well at the barrier trials with both Texardini and Court Martial Miss both winning their recent trials.

Better Land is expected to make a low-key return to racing in the coming weeks following an easy jump out at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.

Trainer Peter Moody is keen for the well-bred colt to kick-off his preparation on the right note and is not afraid to find the easiest race possible.

“At the end of the day, all he has won is a Sale maiden,” Moody said.

“I like to see my horses do everything right on race day and win.

“He lost his way a bit towards the end of the preparation and I’m keen to start from scratch, look to give him a ‘kill’ and then proceed from there.

“I’d say he will be ready to return in about mid January.

“He wasn’t out to do much in the jump-out, just a nice look around for him.”

Better Land, by Shamardal out of Amelia’s Dream, finished second behind Scissor Kick in the Listed Rosebud before being pushed off the track and finishing fourth in the Up And Coming Stakes.

He then started a well-backed $5.50 chance in the Golden Rose but raced well below his best, finishing down the track behind Hallowed Crown after being caught wide from a awkward barrier.

Stablemate Dissident was also sighted at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, galloping before stewards and given the all-clear to continue his preparation after suffering a bleeding attack last preparation.

News from Racing Network

Having shown early promise with some very good barrier trial wins, it was great to see our three-year-old gelding Tuscan Falls finally put it all together on the track, breaking his maiden on Boxing Day to give his connections a late Christmas present with a length victory in the East Cessnock Bowling Club Maiden over 900m at Newcastle.

Dropping back from two 1100m runs at his past two starts, the Gary Portelli-trained Tuscan Falls managed to finally have a bit of luck in the run, also having the race run to suit.

Settling back past mid-field and with Andrew Gibbons in the saddle, and with a fast pace upfront, Tuscan Falls was able to come to the outside of the field when needed and produced a great turn of foot to charge late to take the win!

Showing that he appreciated being ridden that way, it would be no surprise to now see him continue to be ridden back in the field and come with a late rush.

Purchased from the draft of Turangga Farm at the 2013 Easter Yearling Sale, Tuscan Falls (pictured below as a yearling) is by the Widden Stud-based Nicconi out of the General Nediym mare Queen Of The Falls, a half-sister to the Group Two-winning, Group One placed Elite Falls (More Than Ready), both daughters of the Danehill mare Niagara Falls, a Group Three winner herself.

Congratulations to the winning connections; Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd ( Mgr: L J Mihalyka), Hon. W R Haylen, J M Ryan, J T O’brien, N Macdonald, S C Cook, Mrs K Fraser, M R Tudehope, D Monch, M J Baumann, K Macdonald, J R Wilson, C J Reynolds, R H Spee, W A Chalker, S M Sandridge, M J Clift, R I Cullen and P Mckenzie.

Resuming from a spell on Sunday at Mornington, our three-year-old Dylan Thomas filly Anaphora produced an outstanding turn of foot to come from well back in the field, from the tail in fact, to finish a very good second.

Having had only two starts in her first campaign, the Tony Noonan-trained three-year-old filly produced two very good efforts finishing third on debut before fourth next time out which then resulted in the filly heading for a break.

While it wasn’t a win, she looks to be back with a bang, and we are excited to see what she produces as her campaign moves forward.

By Dylan Thomas, Anaphora is our of the Bahhare mare Power Of Love, a mare we also raced with Tony Noonan.